Authorizes East Providence to issue licenses to any business seeking to engage in the business of operating a hotel, motel, inn, or boardinghouse and that business first obtains approval from chief of police, building inspector and the mayor.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would give the city of East Providence the legal authority to create a local licensing system for businesses that want to operate hotels, motels, inns, or boardinghouses within the city. Currently, East Providence may not have a specific mechanism to require and issue these licenses, so this bill would formally establish that power at the local level.

Under the bill, any business looking to open or run one of these types of lodging establishments would first need to get approval from three city officials: the chief of police, the building inspector, and the mayor. Only after receiving sign-off from all three would the business be eligible to receive a license from the city. This multi-step review process is designed to ensure that lodging businesses meet safety, building, and general community standards before they begin operating.

The bill primarily affects business owners who want to operate lodging establishments in East Providence, as they would need to go through this approval process before opening. It also affects city officials, who would take on new responsibilities in reviewing and approving these applications. Residents and visitors could also be indirectly affected, as the licensing requirement is intended to ensure that hotels, motels, inns, and boardinghouses in the city meet basic standards. As of now, the bill has been referred to a House committee and recommended for further study, meaning it has not yet become law.